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Perceived Help-Seeking Difficulty, Barriers, Delay, and Burden in Carers of People with Suspected Dementia

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen K.M. Ng

    (Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Dara K.Y. Leung

    (Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Xinxin Cai

    (Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Gloria H.Y. Wong

    (Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
    Sau Po Centre on Ageing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

Abstract

Because of an often complicated and difficult-to-access care system, help-seeking for people with suspected dementia can be stressful. Difficulty in help-seeking may contribute to carer burden, in addition to other known stressors in dementia care. This study examined the relationship between perceived help-seeking difficulty and carer burden, and the barriers contributing to perceived difficulty. We interviewed 110 carers accessing a community-based dementia assessment service for suspected dementia of a family member for their perceived difficulty, delays, and barriers in help-seeking, and carers burden in terms of role strain, self-criticism, and negative emotions. Linear regression models showed that perceived help-seeking difficulty is associated with carer self-criticism, while carer role strain and negative emotions are associated with symptom severity of the person with dementia but not help-seeking difficulty. Inadequate knowledge about symptoms, service accessibility, and affordability together explained more than half of the variance in perceived help-seeking difficulty (Nagelkerke R 2 = 0.56). Public awareness about symptoms, support in navigating service, and financial support may reduce perceived difficulty in help-seeking, which in turn may reduce carer self-criticism during the early course of illness.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen K.M. Ng & Dara K.Y. Leung & Xinxin Cai & Gloria H.Y. Wong, 2021. "Perceived Help-Seeking Difficulty, Barriers, Delay, and Burden in Carers of People with Suspected Dementia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:2956-:d:516538
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Pinquart & Silvia Sörensen, 2007. "Correlates of Physical Health of Informal Caregivers: A Meta-Analysis," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(2), pages 126-137.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Messina & Rebecca Amati & Emiliano Albanese & Maddalena Fiordelli, 2022. "Help-Seeking in Informal Family Caregivers of People with Dementia: A Qualitative Study with iSupport as a Case in Point," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Hajime Takechi & Naoko Hara & Kyoko Eguchi & Shoko Inomata & Yuki Okura & Miwa Shibuya & Hiroshi Yoshino & Noriyuki Ogawa & Morio Suzuki, 2023. "Dynamics of Interaction among Professionals, Informal Supporters, and Family Caregivers of People with Dementia along the Dementia Care Pathway: A Nationwide Survey in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-13, March.

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